COLIN DUNN - OBITUARY
Colin Dunn passed away in the early morning on March 20, 2024 at the age of 83 after a courageous battle with cancer. Despite this diagnosis and the related health challenges over the past year, Colin’s humour never faltered, even when in palliative care, and he stayed strong until the end. A proud family man, Colin leaves behind Sara, his devoted wife of almost 52 years, his adoring children – Kas (Jen, Winston) and Nina (David, Ella and Aidan) and his loving sister Shirley. Colin’s cheerful attitude, friendliness, and great humour will be missed by all who knew him.
Colin was passionate about geology and he worked tirelessly for decades in advancing the field of biogeochemistry as it relates to exploration.
The family will hold their own private ceremony in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital in Colin’s name: https://sphf.ca/support-the-saanich-peninsula-hospital/
NOTICES AS RECEIVED BY PAM SCHWANN:
From: "Garrett, Robert"<robert.garrett@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca>
Subject: Fwd: Passing of Dr. ColinDunn
Date: March 21, 2024 at 2:09:04 PMPDT
To: "Garrett, Robert"<robert.garrett@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca>
Sad news to have to pass on, Colin Dunn passed on yesterday morning, he had had a long battle with cancer. Colin was an internationally recognized biogeochemist with a long publication record, He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Association of Applied Geochemists in 2014. He retired from GSC-Ottawa in 1998 but continued on as an emeritus scientist at GSC-Pacific for several years.
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The notice from GSC-Pacific is below.
Dear GSC Pacific,
It is with deep sadness that I share the following message from Nina regarding the passing of her father, Dr. Colin Dunn. Colin was a distinguished member of our GSC family and his contributions have left an indelible mark on our organization.
If you would like to send a message to the family you can do so at the following link which also includes Colin’s obituary: https://www.victoriasimplycremations.com/colin-edward-dunn/
Kind regards,
Jennifer
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It is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let everyone know that my dad, Dr. Colin Dunn, passed away in the early morning hours on March 20, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.
My dad was known to many at the GSC, as he worked tirelessly for decades in advancing the field of biogeochemistry as it relates to exploration. He moved to Canada from the UK in 1972 and worked at the Saskatchewan Geological Survey until 1985. After that our family moved to Ottawa and he worked at the Geological Survey of Canada at the 601Booth Street office until he retired in 1998. At the time of his retirement he was the Head of the Geochemical Research Section. In 1999, my parents moved to North Saanich on Vancouver Island and my dad spent the next few years as an Emeritus Scientist at the Sidney Subdivision. Many people will remember seeing and catching up with my dad at the annual PGC Christmas parties, which he continued to attend up until as recently as last year.
His cheerful attitude, friendliness and great humour will be missed by all who knew him. The family will hold their own private ceremony in the coming days.
Nina
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Colin was a wonderful man and a great geologist. I remember when Colin started doing the biogeochem in N Sask. His big U anomaly in the area west of and around Rabbit Lake was a real confirmation of the validity of the method in glaciated terrains.
Years later I would work with Colin on several uranium projects in the Athabaskan Basin when I was employed by Triex and later as a consultant for Great Western Minerals.
Colin always seemed to have a positive outlook on life and work.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
RIP Colin.
Charlie Harper